AUCHENTOSHAN CELEBRATES SUCCESSES OF 2011

As 2011 has drawn to an end, Auchentoshan, Scotland’s only triple distilled Single Malt whisky, reflects on the brand successes of the year; from its first ever mixology competition, to continuing to challenge the perceptions of whisky with its unique Auchentoshan Presents Sunday parties.

2011 saw a dedicated on-trade push for Auchentoshan Three Wood, promoting its unique complexity and versatility. Auchentoshan launched the first ever, transatlantic Auchentoshan Switch mixology competition that uses only the Three Wood. The prize was a career-changing, 14 day switch across the Atlantic for two outstanding bartenders (one from the UK and one from the US) to work in prestigious London and New York establishments: 69 Colebrooke Row and Apotheke.

Over 100 top bartenders entered, with 20 finalists from the UK and US selected to attend the final showdown. The UK event took place at East London warehouse space, Village Underground, with an esteemed panel of judges overseeing the three rounds: Tony Conigliaro (co-owner of 69 Colebrooke Row). Giles Looker (owner of Soulshakers Bar Consultancy) and Neil Ridley (journalist and co-founder of revered whisky blog CaskStrength).

Martin Ball from Corridor, Manchester, the UK winner, will head to Apotheke in Spring 2012 to experience some world-class molecular mixology, whilst US winner Charles Joly from The Drawing Room, Chicagowill head over to 69 Colebrooke Row.

To further support the Switch in trade, Auchentoshan ran a London in-house cocktail competition whereby the winner would be automatically entered into the Switch UK final. The contest challenged bartenders from eight leading London cocktail bars to create an original recipe using the Auchentoshan Three Wood. All winners were taken to the distillery in Scotland for the final. The winner was Dav Eames from Saf in Shoreditch with A Decadent Dram, and as a result, the expression and two cocktails have since been listed at this top bar and restaurant.

As part of the dedicated on-trade push for the Auchentoshan Three Wood, the expression has gained listing in some of the most renowned bars across the UK, including Shaker&Company, Paramount, Soho(both including two cocktails), 14 sites of the Gaucho Restaurant Group, Donovan Bar at Browns Hotel(includingan Old Fashioned cocktail), as well aslisting across the entire Drake and Morgan Groupin London– The Anthologist, The Drift, The Refinery, The Parlour and The Folly – with two cocktails listed for 2012and staff training completed for over 80 bar and floor staff.

Continuing to challenge perceptions that whisky is the preserve of an older, pipe-toting, slipper-wearing gentleman, ‘Auchentoshan Presents’ went on tour. The series of Sunday parties mixed unique whisky tastings with dance floor flailings co-curated by promoters who, like the whisky, do things differently.

The tour kicked off in July in Glasgow, the home of Auchentoshan, at Black Sparrow bar with a Scottish Bank Holiday party. The series then travelled the UK over the summer, visiting Lock Tavernfor a Field Day festival pre-party, then Bristol’s Start The Bus, followed by Leeds’s Nation Of Shopkeepers and finally Manchester’s favourite intimate drinking hole, Common.

Over the course of the tour, over 150 target consumers experienced a unique Auchentoshan tasting,learning about the three key expressions, trying it with chocolate and also mixed as a long drink with fiery ginger ale and a wedge of orange. As the night unfolded so did the music. This summer saw Auchentoshan partnering with Field Day, Thunder Disco, Tramp!, Squeaky Hill, with top acts includingHot Chip (DJ set), Jacques Renault from DFA, Visions of Trees (live), Filthy Dukes, Feel My Bicep, Spectrals (live), Casper Cand Stopmakingme.

Continuing its collaborations with creatives, Auchentoshan Presents partnered with supper club Shacklewell Nights to create a hidden dining experience at Ruby House, a Victorian townhouse within the MC Motors building in Dalston, London. Guests were treated to impromptu whisky tastings and a three-course menu that either complemented Auchentoshan or incorporated it into the dish, carefully designed by Claire Roberson, Shacklewell Nights’ founder, and Jonathan Woolway from St John Restaurant. As the trend for supper clubs in unusual spaces continues to gain momentum, Auchentoshan Presents… Shacklewell Nights led the pack.

Auchentoshan continued to support innovative and stand-out events with like-minded brands and individuals withinthe arts, music, photography, design, and film, to increase consumer understanding of Auchentoshan’s brand positioning through association. In 2011, Auchentoshan supported 11 high-profile events, including Fashion East (London), Flatpack Film Festival (Birmingham), and Paul Smith Vogue Fashion Night Out (London). Almost 3,000 target consumers had tasted Auchentoshan, either straight or as a long serve with ginger ale and wedge of orange.

For more information, please visit http://www.auchentoshan.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/auchentoshan

Notes:

Auchentoshan

As Glasgow’s closest Distillery, Auchentoshan is truly unique as it is the only distillery to use a third still in the whisky making process. It means Auchentoshan is the only Single Malt Scotch whisky to triple distil every single drop. This third distillation takes the new spirit to 81.5% ABV (not 70% which is achieved through only distilling twice) making it the highest distillate of any Scottish distillery. The benefit? This strength removes the impurities and harshness often associated with single malts and takes the new spirit to it’s optimum strength for reacting with the casks during maturation, allowing Auchentoshan to extract maximum flavours from the wood. The result? A delicate, smooth malt with each expression strongly showcasing the character of cask it was matured in.

At the 2009 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Auchentoshan 12 Year Old, Auchentoshan Classic and Auchentoshan Three Wood were all awarded a Silver Medal in the Spirits category. At the 2008 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Auchentoshan 18 Year Old also won a coveted Double Gold Medal. 

Loch Fyne Whiskies Reports;

The Arran Malt ‘Icons of Arran’ #4 The Eagle
(Due March 2012)

The fourth and final instalment of the Icons of Arran brings this series to a stylish close. The Eagle, perhaps the defining symbol of the Isle of Arran Distillery, is bottled from a selection of casks from our 1999 vintage and bottled at 46%. This limited release of 6,000 bottles will be bottled at 46% without chill-filtering.

The Arran Malt – Devil’s Punchbowl
(Due May 2012)

This Limited Edition release will highlight the cask selection skills of our Master Distiller and Blender James MacTaggart. Created from a vatting of our oldest and finest casks, the Devil’s Punchbowl will be bottled at Cask Strength and limited to approximately 6,000 bottles worldwide. With stunning packaging combined with superior whisky, we anticipate The Devil’s Punchbowl forming the first chapter of a new and highly sought after collection.

Announcing the launch of The Jewish Single Malt Whisky Society (and their accompanying website, www.jsmws.com) as a US based independent bottler of the world’s finest single cask, single malt, natural cask strength whiskies:

Operated as a members-¬‐only Society, founders Joshua Hatton (author of a blog by the same name, jewishsinglemaltwhiskysociety.com), Jason Johnstone-¬‐Yellin (author of guidscotchdrink.com) and Seth Klaskin conducted a quiet launch on February 8th, 2012, inviting 150 loyal readers of both whisky blogs and many people in whisky enthusiast circles, Jews and non-¬‐Jews alike. Public roll out will commence on February 20th, 2012.

With the initial membership drive in early 2012, the Society will be capped at 250-¬‐300 members. Later this year, the Society will have an initial release of up to 5 single cask whisky expressions. Soon thereafter, the Society will open its doors to another 250-¬‐500 members.

There will be three levels of membership available. Those that choose to join in on the base, or “White,” level can expect to enjoy the following for an initial $180 membership fee:

• 1 complimentary 750ml bottle of one of the Society’s single cask single malts (to ship in Summer, 2012)
• 2 Urban Bar tasting glasses bearing the Society’s logo
• 1 Society T-¬‐shirt bearing the Society’s logo
• A one year subscription to Whisky Advocate Magazine, a premier industry periodical
• A laminated membership card – individually numbered
• The very low $36/yr. renewal fee (due on the one year anniversary of receipt of the welcome bottle)
• The ability to invite a friend to join the Society

Late 2012 -¬‐ early 2013 will see the release of the second set of 5 exclusive bottlings and the introduction of the Society’s first non-¬‐Scotch single malt whisky.

While faithfully dedicated to independently bottling the finest and rarest single cask whiskies for their diverse membership, the JSMWS will aim to respect the needs of the religious, while also providing varied and new experiences for those who are less restricted in their Jewish expression. For example, they may release some bottlings of other spirits besides malt whisky in order to provide observant Jews with alternate fine spirits to accompany their Passover Seder, when malted grains are not permitted for consumption. (Many Jews observe Pesach Kashrut laws during Passover even if they do not observe Kashrut generally.)

At the same time, the Society will regularly offer whisky expressions that are aged in ex-¬‐wine casks so that members who are not restricted in their consumption can enjoy the full range of flavors and characteristics that the malt world has to offer. Because bottlings are inherently separate and self-¬‐contained, the Society will have the freedom to release some wine-¬‐finished expressions without contaminating the kosher-¬‐styled expressions.

By managing this issue thoughtfully, the Society aims to support and maintain the widest range of Jewish and non-¬‐Jewish, and observant and secular-¬‐minded whisky enthusiasts in their Society. The Society will always post detailed cask notes on the website and on the bottle labels. Members are urged to utilize these notes to make purchase decisions in line with their own dietary restrictions.

Members of the Society will enjoy members-¬‐only web content on www.jsmws.com. Such content will include, but will not be limited to, regular blog updates from Society founders detailing tasting notes, distillery visits and cask selections -¬‐ all provided through both text-¬‐based blog entries and robust video content.

The Jewish Single Malt Whisky Society is a genuine Society – with their website (www.jsmws.com) acting as a virtual space for folks to meet and advance their mutual affinity for finely crafted malt whiskies. It is a place for diverse people to identify with others who share an interest in the craft, the allure, the aesthetics, and the incredible depth of single malt spirits. Members will be able to learn new things and mingle in a virtual community with others in a supportive and fun environment. The Society is a place that welcomes everyone, and extends hospitality to all. It is a place where members can shed the stress of the day and achieve relaxation by exploring exceptional spirits among friends. It is a club that promotes social justice and consideration of others.

Furthermore, while primarily built upon a solid foundation of premium cask selection for their members, the Jewish Single Malt Whisky Society pledges to enact its commitment to social justice and philanthropy by donating 1% of all profits from the sale of their exclusive whiskies and merchandise.

The Jewish Single Malt Whisky Society invites members to enjoy their whiskies, their community and all of the growing programs it has to offer.

Introducing… the A to Z of the World’s Best Bars

As most people know, I do a fair bit of travelling as the Master Blender for Whyte & Mackay Whisky and a question that often pops up is “where do you and your team suggest for a drink in…” and it got us thinking, why don’t we put together a little list of some of the best bars we know.

Nice to already have a third E-pistle published this year from the Malt Maniacs! Pit reports about a trip to Scotland for finishing single malts in Bavarian beer casks.

BOWMORE CELEBRATES THE SUCCESSES OF 2011

2011 was a year that saw Bowmore increase its presence in the great outdoors. The first Islay Single Malt kicked this off with a series of experiential sampling activity which took place at five of the UK’s biggest and most popular outdoor events. The six-figure investment saw the Bowmore stand land first at Outdoor Pursuits in Edinburgh, and then travel across the UK visiting The Royal Bath and West Show, The CLA Game Fair, Southampton Boat Show and finally Kendal Mountain Festival, engaging over 450,000 target consumers in total. The stand offered guests complimentary in-depth taster sessions of Bowmore’s Single Malts with the Distillery’s experts, allowing them to learn the finer points of malt
whisky.

In addition to the outdoor sampling activity, Bowmore was sampled by over 10,000 people in 2011 at various whisky shows, with particular success at The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show in London where the legendary Bowmore 1964 White (RRP £2,500) was the talk of the event.

As part of its outdoors marketing drive, Bowmore sponsored the Bowmore Ben Nevis Challenge which saw eight teams of disabled and non-disabled people work together to scale the UK’s highest peak, in aid of Capability Scotland, Scotland’s best known disability organisation. Guided by ex-SAS officer and TV Presenter Ken Hames, the teams reached the summit and ended what was the culmination of  months of training, preparation, not to mention, hard work and sweat to raise over £100,000 for Capability Scotland. The Morrison Bowmore team also received extra support in the form of team member Rob Allanson, Editor of Whisky Magazine, who documented his journey via the Whisky
Magazine and Scotland Magazine.

Bowmore entered the second year of its long-term international partnership with National Geographic magazine – the world-renowned authority on photography and the outdoors. This partnership included the sponsorship of the ‘National Geographic International Photography Contest’, a competition that invited amateur photographers to enter their photographs for the opportunity to win a trip to Islay and see their work star in a future Bowmore advertising campaign within the National Geographic Magazine. This competition was supported by regional media competitions, as well as advertisements within the National Geographic magazines that reach over 250,000 readers.

To further support this activity, Bowmore partnered with renowned landscape photographer Colin Prior to create a series of Bowmore Outdoor Photography Workshops which took place at select Whisky Shops across the UK. These events promoted through a targeted PR campaign as well as by the Whisky Shop to their networks, achieving great success, with each event reaching full capacity.

These complimentary workshops allowed photography and whisky fans to pick up photography hints and tips from a renowned expert before entering the competition whilst exploring some of Bowmore’s unique expressions through the whisky tasting.

The on-trade push focused on a series of in-depth tasting sessions and food pairing evenings called ‘A Taste of Islay’. These events took place at premium accounts across the UK including the Malmaison and Hotel Du Vin group, Ronnie Scott’s, McQueen and The Park Hotel Teddington in London. Almost 800 guests paid for this tasting experience with a Bowmore expert. As a result of these highly successful events, the core range of Bowmore Single Malt is listed at all the aforementioned accounts and The Park Hotel whisky bar has since been officially branded the ‘Bowmore Whisky Bar’ featuring every Bowmore whisky from the core range as well as the Bowmore Tempest.

For Christmas, Bowmore created a premium gift package the Bowmore Tweed Savile Row Experience. This collaboration with Malcolm Plews, esteemed Savile Row tailor and Warrant Holder to Prince Charles, is a bespoke tailoring session where gents are fitted with a made-to-measure Bowmore Tweed jacket whilst having an in-depth one to one whisky tasting with a Bowmore expert. The tweed has been created by the Islay Woollen Mill and echoes the brand’s
heritage and provenance with its colour palette – blues, burnt orange and grey. The package, which retails at £3,000, also includes first class travel to London, a night’s stay for two at the Malmaison Clerkenwell, and lunch for two at the undeniably chic Sartoria restaurant together with a bottle of Bowmore 15 Years Old ‘Darkest’ and whisky glasses. The PR push to support this activity achieved an array of coverage in national print and online media.

For more information, please visit www.bowmore.com and www.facebook.com/bowmore

UK Distributor: Cellar Trends on enquiries@cellartrends.co.uk

Bowmore

The best-balanced Islay Single Malt whisky is the perfect reward after your outdoor experience. Founded in 1779, Bowmore is the oldest Distillery on Islay, one of the Scottish isles, which make up the region known as the ‘Islands’ in the lexicon of Whisky. The other regions are the Highlands, Speyside and the Lowlands. Islay malts are famous for their characteristic smokiness and Bowmore is no exception; we carefully smoke our malt and use skills handed down from
generation to generation to craft a perfectly balanced Single Malt.

Bowmore’s adherence to traditional production methods helps to shape the character of our Single Malts. We’re one of only a few distilleries anywhere which still produces its own floor malted barley, hand-turned by traditional wooden malt shovel and hand drawn machinery. For our whiskies we draw water from the Laggan River, with its rich peaty overtones, and it’s the same Islay peat that fires the malt-drying kiln.

Bowmore Distillery’s close proximity to the sea is also vital in determining the final character of our spirit. The legendary Bowmore No. 1 Vaults is where most of our whiskies spend their long lives resting quietly in the cool, dark, damp cellars below sea level, oblivious to the waves thrashing the Vault’s sea-facing wall.

They mature in oak casks, previously used for bourbon, sherry or claret, gradually developing rich and mellow flavours. It’s this combination of peat, barley, sea breeze, water, wood, people and tradition that together create the perfectly balanced warm and smoky character of Bowmore Single Malt Whiskies.

The Bowmore domestic product range:

• Bowmore Legend
• Bowmore 12 Years Old
• Bowmore 15 Years Old ‘Darkest’
• Bowmore 18 Years Old
• Bowmore 25 Years Old

Islay

Islay is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides, and is also known as “The Queen of the Hebrides.” Its mild climate and rich peaty soil make it ideal for creating whisky, and despite having a population of not much more than 3,000, it’s home to no fewer than eight distilleries.

The Valentine gift to capture a whisky lover’s heart

London January 2012: If your Valentine likes whisky this is your answer to the problem of what to give on 14th February. The reputation of Suntory for producing some of the world’s finest malt and blended whiskies is at an all time high, with over 60 major international awards gained for the quality and excellence of their Japanese whiskies since 2003. Whether your friend or partner prefers whisky neat, over ice or with water a Yamazaki or Hakushu 12 year old single malt or 17 year old blended Hibiki will enhance your discerning taste in their eyes and make for a memorable Valentine’s Day.

Should either of you like cocktails try a seasonal Yamazaki Risshun, created to welcome spring by Suntory’s UK Brand Ambassador, Zoran Peric. With a calendar of 24 seasons the Japanese have got 24 reasons to celebrate. Try this simple recipe for a sensational Valentine’s Day tipple.

Yamazaki Risshun – Spring will soon be in the air (4 February)

Recipe:

35mlml Yamazaki 12 year old single malt whisky

25ml Ume honey blended with umeshu (Japanese plum liqueur)

Finely shaved ginger

Build in an Old-fashioned glass over ice

Here’s to my Valentine – here’s to Spring!

Suntory world beating Japanese whiskies are firm favourites here in the UK and Europe. There is something about their subtle aromas and delicate flavours which appeals to the palate whether taken neat, over ice or in cocktails.

Enjoy them and the warm glow that comes with other gift giving occasions.

Note: Pronouncing Suntory names

Yamazaki – (Ya-ma-zarkee)

Hakushu – (Ha-koo-shoe)

Hibiki – (Hi-bi-kee)

Yamazaki and Hakushu single malt whiskies are available from: Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, The Whisky Exchange, independent specialist retailers and drinkon.com priced from:

Yamazaki 12 year old £42

Hakushu 12 year old £49.95

Hibiki 17 year old £70

The Suntory range of Japanese whiskies is distributed in the UK by Cellar Trends. For all sales enquiries contact: sales@cellartrends.co.uk

Ralfy ‘releases’  Whisky Review 249 – Whyte and Mackay 13yo . . . for perusal by all those whisky-buffs who care about such things!

Abhainn Dearg 3 Year Old Cask Strength

TheWhiskyBarrel.com Exclusive

The historic first release from Abhainn Dearg distillery on the Isle of Lewis available for the first time at full strength 58% ABV.

Single first fill ex-bourbon cask distilled 2008 and bottled January 2012 at natural cask strength. 5cl Miniature.

£11.99 (£9.99 ex VAT)

Here is a book review

Here is a link to buy it on Amazon

Here is a review from Whiskey Forge

A whiskey cook book of all their crazy recipes and experimental techniques we have been working on over the past 4 years at the Corsair Distillery. It’s called “Alt Whiskeys” or alternative whiskeys, which is any whiskey that is outside the norms of North American whiskey production.

They have roughly 4 categories of Alt Whiskeys:

* Smoked whiskeys
* Whiskeys inspired by craft beers — they have a Russian Imperial Stout whiskey called Rasputin
* Whiskeys that use alternative grains/adjuncts – they have a 12 grain bourbon, and our Quinoa whiskey just won   medal @ NYC Spirits competition
* hopped whiskeys or whiskeys flavored by some kind of botanical